Car shipping services can save you time and money if you’re trying to reduce how long you’re on the road for a big move. Using a car shipping cost calculator is an excellent and accurate way to assess how much it’ll cost to have your vehicle shipped.
Keep reading to learn how to gather hassle-free auto shipping quotes, what factors affect overall costs and how to save on car shipping.
Key takeaways
Car shipping quotes can vary by hundreds of dollars depending on the size of your vehicle, shipping distance, complexity of the move and many other factors.
Price is important, but a company’s customer service can be just as valuable to your experience.
Get the best price for your car shipment by shopping around, booking early, being flexible with your time and shipping during the off-season.
Featured Partners
Vehicle types: Cars, motorcycles
Availability: All 50 states, international shipping
Vehicle types: Cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, RVs, trailers, golf carts, heavy equipment
Availability: All 50 states, international shipping
Vehicle Types: Cars, motorcycles
Availability: 49 states, international (excludes Alaska)
What is a car shipping quote?
A car shipping quote estimates how much it will cost to transport your car from point A to point B with a specific carrier. Shipping estimates factor in your vehicle’s make and model, running condition, current gas prices, labor costs, the type of transport and other variables.
How do car shipping quotes work?
Online car shipping calculators are handy for collecting quotes quickly from various carriers so you can compare prices and budget accordingly.
You can find vehicle shipping calculators on the provider’s website. Most of them require basic information, such as:
- Your car’s make, model, year and vehicle type
- Running condition
- Shipping origin and destination (typically the states, cities and ZIP codes)
- Carrier transport type (open-air vs. enclosed)
- Date your vehicle is available for pickup
After submitting this information, the calculator will generate a custom shipping cost estimate based on your data. Then, an agent will contact you to help with booking and to collect any other information needed to ship your car.
What factors affect car shipping quotes and costs?
Car shipping companies figure out auto transport quotes based on several factors:
- Distance: The greater the distance your car travels, the more expensive it’ll be to move. Distance affects gas and labor prices.
- Shipping options: Picking enclosed shipping instead of an open carrier provides extra protection, but you’ll pay more.
- Time of year: Summer and late spring are more popular times to move, so pricing is usually higher (even as much as an extra $800). While early fall and early spring are less expensive, inclement weather like winter snowstorms may add to your cost if there are delays en route.
- Vehicle condition: Cars that aren’t running cost more to move because they often require special equipment to load them on and off car carriers. For example, Amerifreight shares that a car without working steers and brakes will cost an extra $100, and a vehicle that needs to be forklifted or winched onto a truck costs another $200 to $500, depending on the vehicle’s size.
- Vehicle size: The larger and heavier your vehicle is, the more it’ll cost to transport. When you provide the make and model of your car, the company looks up the size and weight of your vehicle and factors this into its cost estimate.
How much should car shipping cost?
For an average car in working condition, expect to pay between $500 and $1,250 to ship it to another state. Other factors, like vehicle size, increase shipping costs. For example, an SUV will cost $600 to $1,100 on average to ship to another state because of its larger size.
Longer distances, like a cross-country shipment, can easily cost up to $2,000, especially if you choose an enclosed move.
Compare car shipping quotes
Before you collect quotes, get an idea of average shipping costs so you can identify outlier pricing during your research. Here are some car shipping estimates we received from top industry providers for enclosed versus open carrier shipping.
Enclosed carrier
Enclosed carrier shipping is more expensive than open carrier shipping but provides added peace of mind because the transport shields your vehicle from the elements.
|
Shipping distance
|
Shipping estimate
|
|
|---|---|---|
| eShip | 600 miles |
$864 |
| A-1 Auto Transport | 680 miles |
$890 |
| We Will Transport It | 650 miles |
$900 |
| American Auto Shipping | 550 miles |
$950 |
| SGT Auto Transport | 605 miles |
$1,140 |
| Easy Auto Ship | 597 miles |
$1,200 |
| AmeriFreight | 550 miles |
$1,210 |
*Price estimates based on a running Honda Civic 2020 or similar sedan
Open carrier
Open carrier is the most common and affordable vehicle transport choice. The carrier usually loads vehicles onto an open trailer that accommodates eight to 10 cars.
|
Shipping distance
|
Shipping estimate
|
|
|---|---|---|
| American Auto Shipping | 550 miles |
$550 |
| eShip | 600 miles |
$640 |
| We Will Transport It | 650 miles |
$650 |
| AmeriFreight | 550 miles |
$712 |
| A-1 Auto Transport | 680 miles |
$722 |
| SGT Auto Transport | 605 miles |
$779 |
| Easy Auto Ship | 597 miles |
$850 |
*Price estimates based on a running Honda Civic 2020 or similar sedan
How to get the best online car shipping quotes
You can get the best price for your car shipment by following these online shopping tips:
- Shop around: Collect at least three estimates from auto transport carriers. Once you choose a preferred carrier, negotiate with the company and ask about price-matching, available discounts and if they offer a cash discount — or any discounts.
- Book early: Advance booking gives you more options, allowing you to shop around, find the best price and (in some cases) qualify for an early booking discount. You’ll also avoid last-minute booking fees.
- Pick open-carrier shipping: Transporting your vehicle in an open trailer costs hundreds of dollars less than an enclosed carrier. You’ll usually pay up to 50% more to ship a car in an enclosed trailer, so choosing open carrier shipping is a significant way to save money.
- Be flexible with your timing: Having flexible drop-off and pickup dates or locations can get you a less expensive price. Dropping and picking up your vehicle at a shipping terminal can also save you money compared to door-to-door shipping options.
While pricing is important, prioritize quality service above all else.?
“It’s hard to choose with so many [carriers] out there, but always check reviews first, then get pricing. Good transport companies will often cost more than others, but in the end, you don’t want to settle for the cheaper route and end up with a damaged car,” said Lou “Mad Dog” Koulouvaris, owner of Mad Dog Transmissions.
Bottom line
Unless you’re working with a shady car shipping company, most car shipping quotes are accurate enough to give you an idea of what you’ll be paying. However, it’s typical for the price you pay and the initial quote to be slightly different because of factors outside the company’s control, such as route delays, gas prices or inclement weather.
Look to online reviews and the Better Business Bureau for feedback on how accurate a provider’s quotes are. Gather several estimates before making your final decision for the best outcome.
